Looking back over the election last month, one troubling fact emerged - lack of Christian voting. 41 million born-again Christians did not vote November 5th according to Barna research.
Romans 13 is a passage that often challenges us to think deeply about our relationship with authority. It reminds us that "there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1). The Apostle Paul’s words seem straightforward - submit to governing authorities because they are God’s servants, bearing the sword to punish wrongdoers and reward the good. Yet, living in a Republic, where authority flows from "we the people," invites us to wrestle with the nuances of what Paul’s teaching means in our civic context.
In a Republic, the ultimate sovereign is not a monarch or dictator but the citizens. Leaders are elected to represent us, and craft and enforce laws on our behalf. These leaders wield authority - the power of the sword - but they do so as agents of the sovereign, which is us. This shifts the responsibility in significant ways. As Christians living under this system, we bear a unique weight of accountability.
Doesn't it stand to reason, then, that if we are the sovereign, we must show up and be prepared for the work we’ve been given to do? Civic engagement is not just a right but a duty, one that flows from our identity as participants in this system of governance. At the very least, this means voting - but not just casting a ballot as a casual act. Voting with knowledge of the issues, prayerful discernment, and a heart aligned with God’s justice and truth is an essential expression of our stewardship.
The call extends beyond voting. Romans 13 also calls us to obey the laws crafted by those we elect, even when those laws are made through imperfect processes or enforced by imperfect leaders. This obedience is not blind submission; it is an acknowledgment that God works through the systems of governance, even flawed ones, to accomplish His purposes. Yet, as sovereigns in a Republic, we are not only subjects of the law but also shapers of it. This dual role - to obey and to shape -requires wisdom, humility, and active engagement.
So, how do we live this out? First, by committing to be informed. Knowing the issues, understanding the candidates, and discerning the implications of policies are acts of stewardship over the responsibility God has entrusted to us. Second, by engaging prayerfully. Asking for God’s guidance as we navigate complex choices ensures our decisions are rooted in His wisdom rather than our preferences. Finally, by participating actively. Beyond voting, this could mean attending town halls, advocating for just policies, or even running for office.
Romans 13 calls us to a posture of respect and obedience, but in our Republic, it also calls us to active participation. As the sovereign, we must not abdicate our responsibility. We must show up - not just as citizens but as disciples of Christ, prepared to seek the good of our communities, shaped by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. Let us embrace this sacred trust with the seriousness and joy it deserves, knowing that our engagement in the civic arena is an act of worship, loving our neighbor and a testimony to the Kingdom of God.
Those are my thoughts, I could be wrong.
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